Minimum Water Temperature For Guppies

Guppies are tropical freshwater fish and require warm water to live. They can easily adapt to different water temperatures. But, what is the minimum water temperature for guppies?

The minimum water temperature for guppies is 72°F (22°C).

For 1 or 2 days guppies can tolerate minimum temperature. Afterwards, guppies gradually get sick and there is a high risk of disease. The lowest temperature guppies can survive is 68°F (20°C).

I will also answer a few other questions like how to maintain minimum water temperature for guppies and what water temperature is good for guppies.

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Why You Should Use a Heater with Guppies?

Being tropical fish, guppies prefer to live and enjoy in warm water.

People usually ask on social media do guppies need heater? Yes, guppies need a heater as it stabilizes the water temp.

Some also want to know if can guppies live in unheated tank?

This depends on where do you stay whether it is a cold or hot region.

If you are residing in cold region, then you might think that during winter heating house is sufficient for guppy fish tank. But to your surprise, that is not true at all.

You must try to understand air heats up faster as compared to water. To explain this when your room temperature is 70°F(21°C) at that time tank temperature for guppies will be between 65°F to 68°F (18°C to 20°C) which is below guppy fish tolerable limit.

The cold water impacts guppies like breeding issues, slow growth rate, stress and becoming inactive.

This explains why you should use heater with guppies.

You should follow the basic rule while buying a heater: 5 watts of heater capacity is required for every gallon of tank water.

Say, for example, you have 10 gallons of guppy fish tank then a 50 W heater should be bought to keep water warm.

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Water Temperature During Water Change?

Guppies remain healthy in clean fish tank.

So performing 25% water change every week enables to keep aquarium environment clean.

Also, it is important to maintain an ideal aquarium temperature for guppies during water change. So, what is a good water temperature for guppies?

The best water temperature for guppy fish is 72°F to 82°F (22°C to 28°C).

Guppies don’t like fluctuation in water parameters. So carefully perform water change in guppy fish tank.

Follow these steps to keep stable water temperature when doing water change–

1. Measure the water temperature of bucket and guppy fish tank with a thermometer.

2. Try to match both the temperatures.

3. Use heater in bucket water to get same temperature as aquarium.

3. When the freshwater bucket is ready, add water in small batches. This avoids shock and stress to guppies in aquarium.

Note, you should keep water temperature same or not below 1-2°C than usual aquarium temperature for guppies.

For example-

If guppy fish tank water temperature is 72°F (22°C), then the bucket water should be in the range of 70°F to 74°F (21°C to 23°C).

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Do Guppies Need Cold Or Warm Water?

Beginners are often confused and asked what is preferred temperature for guppies? warm water or cold water?

You should maintain the correct water temperature for guppies which is important for their growth. If the water temperature keeps on fluctuating, then this will create stress on guppy fish which leads to many health problems.

Cool water slows the growth rate of guppy fish. The appetite of guppies decreases which results in gradual development. As a result, the life span of guppies increases. Many pet fish owners prefer minimum water temp (cooler side) so guppies survive for a longer time.

Warm water speed up the growth of guppies. It also increases guppy fish’s appetite and moving capacity. As a result, guppies become hungry as too much energy is used, so you need to feed them very often. The sad part is guppies lifespan will be short. Generally, breeder wants fast development of guppies, so they keep the water warm.

The option you select will decide how long guppy fish survive.

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Do Guppies Survive In Cold Water?

No, guppies cannot survive in cold water. The guppy fish require ideal water temperature for growth and good health.

Now the question arises what is the best water temperature for guppies?

The optimal temperature for guppies ranges from 72°F to 82°F (22°C to 28°C).

So, the water temp below 68°F (20°C) is intolerable for guppies.

Stress, breeding problems, laziness and slow development are various adverse impacts on guppies if kept in cold water for long time.

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What Are The Effects Of Cold Water On Guppies?

Guppy prefers humid water temperatures for adequate growth and development.

The lowest temperature guppies can survive is 65°F (18°C) which means if you put fish in cold water, it will have negative impacts on guppy fish.

Let me explain what are the effects of cold water on guppies:

1. Shock, Illness and Disease –

Guppies cannot tolerate cold water for longer time.

Due to very low water temperature, guppies are stressed.

This weakens immune system of guppy fish and they start falling sick all the time as well as increases possibility of guppies getting disease and may even die.

2. Breeding Issue –

Guppies breed fast in warm water temperatures and properly maintained aquarium.

Many breeders keep tank water warm to breed guppies quickly and earn more profit.

In cold water, guppies face difficulty in breeding. Even if in case guppy breeds in cold water then guppy fry will die soon.

3. Slow Growth Rate –

Guppies’ growth slows down in cold water while in warm water guppies develop faster.

4. Inactive –

Guppies are cold-blooded fish and active swimmers.

Warm water will help the guppies explore the tank all day and socialize with other fish mates.

The cold water keeps guppies inactive and lazy.

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Conclusion

It is recommended to keep the ideal water temperature for guppies tank. You should not go under 72°F (22°C) which is the minimum water temperature for guppies.

To keep guppy fish happy and healthy, you should feed guppies properly, with optimal water temperature, weekly water change and stable water parameters.

You should check water temperature with thermometer and maintain it with the help of heater.

Also, every week measure other water parameters like ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and pH with API Mastertest kit.

This will establish a stable aquarium environment for guppies.

If you have any questions, please comment below.

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FAQS

Can guppies live in 26 degrees?

Yes, guppies can live in 26 degrees as it is in the range of ideal water temperature of 22°C to 28°C (72°F to 82°F).

What temperature do guppy fry need?

Guppy fry need the same temperature as their mother. The best baby guppy water temp between 22°C to 28°C (72°F to 82°F).

What temp do guppies breed?

The guppies’ breeding tank temperature should be between 25°C to 27°C (78°F to 80°F).

Happy Guppy Keeping!

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